Benvolio And Mercutio Relationship

Mercurial and benevolent, which are complete antonyms of each other, are a driving force in Romeo and Juliet. These two adjectives sound suspiciously similar to the names of two lead roles from the play. These juxtaposing personalities in the characters Mercutio and Benvolio are utilized to show the fine line between running fast and stumbling. Benvolio is a thinker. With one conversation you can tell he has good intentions. He is like a parental figure, who keeps a short leash on all of his family members. His “I do but keep the peace” (6) personality is true benevolence. When he does have to be aggressive, it’s only meant to prevent more bloodshed, as on page 6 where he says “Put up thy sword,/Or manage it to part these men with me.” With Benvolio being quite a good and respectful person, there is always a right to a wrong and an up to a down. In Romeo and Juliet, that down is Mercutio.

Unlike his foil, Benvolio, he is quick to draw his sword in any situation. Instead of settling what could be peaceful agreements, Mercutio likes to instigate trouble. On page 24, he says “Couple it with something /Make it a word and a blow. The unnescessary violence Mercutio has in his day to day lifestyle is quite extra He is also a man of honor and would not pass up a fight, unlike Tybalt’s “vile submission” (25). Mercutio then continues to harass Tybalt into a fight, which causes both characters to meet their